Call to the pen
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Phillies: Pitchers auditioning to stay

By Tal Venada

Kapler is eyeing his bullpen because his veteran relievers are beginning to return from the DL. Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images.
Kapler is eyeing his bullpen because his veteran relievers are beginning to return from the DL. Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images. /
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Kapler is eyeing his bullpen because his veteran relievers are beginning to return from the DL. Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images. /

With two Phillies relievers and a starter close to reactivation, three hurlers could be heading to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs or receive a designation for assignment by general manager Matt Klentak.

Coming and going:

Not too long ago, the Philadelphia Phillies were carrying players who were not ready for the majors. For now though, Victor Arano and Yacksel Rios again this year have the opportunity to impress management with a signed veteran still on the disabled list.

"IN OTHER WORDS: “In today’s world, everything seems like some sort of long audition.” – Bob Fosse"

Firstly, when Jerad Eickhoff returns, either Nick Pivetta or Ben Lively will be the odd man out. And, currently, Lively will be the one returning to Lehigh Valley, but the IronPigs have an open slot due to a flamethrower on the DL. So, Jake Thompson as a long man is temporarily getting his 3-4 innings from the first pitch on.

Hoby Milner was the Phils lefty specialist, but he had experienced some difficulty in two outings versus the Atlanta Braves. He allowed four earned runs for three outs against Atlanta in those two. But his other eight appearances including three against the Braves were scoreless.

Being the long man due to Mark Leiter on the disabled list and Thompson getting experience with the Allentown affiliate, Drew Hutchison has only worked two innings once: March 29. And most of his chances were for one frame. Now, how would he even handle three innings?

Asking about bullpen decisions with everybody healthy, Double D, a poster from a Phillies site, wondered which reliever Klentak will be moving next. Well, they aren’t making it easy for the GM, are they?

While Arano and Rios are the hopefuls to stick, Pat Neshek will be returning this month. And Leiter is also an excellent spot starter if he increases his arm strength to toss five frames.

On the other hand, does the team need a long reliever or, for that matter, a one-out southpaw? To illustrate, Kapler on many occasions didn’t have a left-hander available for the late innings anyway. Why?

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